Can You Have Multiple Pokémon GO Accounts? The Truth & Consequences
The short answer is yes, you can have multiple Pokémon GO accounts, but doing so violates Niantic’s Terms of Service (TOS). While the allure of expanding your gameplay, accessing more resources, and potentially dominating gyms might be tempting, the risk of penalties, including account suspension or permanent banishment, looms large. Let’s delve into the complexities of multi-accounting in Pokémon GO, explore the potential repercussions, and answer some frequently asked questions.
The Official Stance: Niantic’s Position
Niantic, the developer of Pokémon GO, explicitly prohibits the use of multiple accounts. Their TOS clearly states that each player is limited to one account. This rule is in place to ensure fair play, prevent resource hoarding, and maintain a balanced gaming environment. Niantic aims to prevent any one person from having an unfair advantage by controlling more than one account. The specific wording often refers to multi-accounting as a form of cheating.
Why the Rule Exists
The reasoning behind this rule is multifaceted:
- Fairness: Multiple accounts allow players to accumulate resources (Stardust, Pokémon, items) at an accelerated rate, creating an uneven playing field for those adhering to the single-account rule.
- Gym Control: A single player managing multiple accounts could strategically place Pokémon in gyms to control them more easily and collect more PokéCoins, again undermining the game’s balance.
- Resource Exploitation: Events and special promotions can be exploited by players with multiple accounts, maximizing their rewards and potentially disrupting the intended dynamics of the game.
The Reality: Enforcement and Detection
While Niantic’s stance is clear, the reality is that enforcing the one-account-per-person rule is challenging. Direct detection is difficult unless the player exhibits blatant cheating behavior. However, Niantic has implemented systems and strategies to identify and penalize players who violate the TOS. The only real, sure-fire way that Niantic can detect multi-accounting is when it is reported by other players.
Common Methods of Detection
- IP Address Analysis: While not a guaranteed indicator, suspicious patterns in IP address usage, such as multiple accounts consistently logging in from the same IP within short timeframes, can raise flags.
- Device Fingerprinting: Niantic can collect data about the devices used to access the game. Repeated logins from the same device with different accounts can be suspicious.
- Gameplay Patterns: Extremely coordinated gameplay between multiple accounts in the same location, such as gym takedowns or raid participation, might attract attention.
- Community Reporting: Reports from other players who suspect multi-accounting can trigger investigations.
- Location Spoofing: While not directly related to multi-accounting, spoofing is a serious offense, and players caught spoofing are often found to be using multiple accounts as well. This can lead to detection.
The Consequences of Getting Caught
If Niantic detects that you are using multiple accounts, you could face several penalties:
- Warning: A first offense might result in a warning, urging you to comply with the TOS.
- Temporary Suspension (Strike): A 7-day temporary ban from the game. During this time, your account will be restricted.
- Permanent Ban: In severe cases, or for repeated offenses, Niantic may permanently ban your account, resulting in the loss of all your progress and in-game assets.
Is it Worth the Risk?
Ultimately, the decision to use multiple Pokémon GO accounts is a personal one. However, it’s crucial to weigh the potential benefits against the risks involved. The possibility of losing your account, with all the time and effort you’ve invested, is a significant deterrent for many players. Engaging with the game fairly, respecting the TOS, and enjoying the community aspects are generally more rewarding in the long run. You can learn more about the community aspect from resources like the Games Learning Society, which explores the social dynamics of gaming communities. More specifically, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you get banned for having 2 Pokémon GO accounts?
Yes, you can get banned. Niantic explicitly states that using multiple accounts is a violation of their Terms of Service, and if detected, you risk suspension or permanent ban.
2. Can I switch between accounts on Pokémon GO?
Yes, you can sign out and sign in to different accounts on the same device, but be aware that doing so increases the risk of detection if you aren’t careful.
3. Can you have Pokémon GO on 2 devices?
Yes, you can have Pokémon GO on multiple devices, as long as you are still only playing with one account. The Pokémon GO Plus accessory, however, can only pair with one device at a time.
4. Can you have multiple Pokémon GO accounts on the same email?
No, you cannot directly link multiple Pokémon GO accounts to the same email address. Each account requires a unique email address, Trainer Club account, or linked social media profile (like Facebook).
5. Can you have two Pokémon GO accounts on one email?
No, you cannot log into two separate Pokemon GO accounts using a single email address for both accounts. Each account needs a unique email.
6. Can you get banned for having multiple Pokémon GO accounts Reddit?
The consensus on Reddit and other forums is that while bans are not always immediate or guaranteed, using multiple accounts is a TOS violation and carries a risk of penalty.
7. Can you link multiple Pokémon GO accounts to one Nintendo Account?
Yes, you can link multiple Pokémon GO accounts to a single Nintendo Account to transfer Pokémon to Pokémon HOME.
8. What is the 7-day warning in Pokémon GO?
The 7-day warning is a temporary suspension (strike) for violating the TOS. During this time, your gameplay is restricted, and any continued violation can lead to a permanent ban.
9. How many Pokémon GO accounts can you link to switch?
There’s no limit to the number of Pokémon GO accounts that can be linked to a single save file in Pokémon: Let’s Go.
10. How does Niantic detect spoofers?
Niantic uses various methods, including GPS data analysis, IP address monitoring, and reporting from other players, to detect location spoofing. Spoofing can often lead to suspicion of multi-accounting.
11. Can you get banned for buying Pokémon GO accounts?
While buying and selling accounts might not be illegal, it’s against the TOS, and if Niantic detects that you’ve purchased an account, it could be banned.
12. Can my Pokémon GO account get banned for spoofing?
Yes, spoofing is a major violation and can result in a temporary or permanent ban from Pokémon GO.
13. Can you get banned for using iPogo?
Yes, using iPogo, a popular location spoofer, significantly increases your risk of getting banned or receiving a first strike.
14. Can Pokémon GO detect VPN?
It is unlikely Pokémon Go can explicitly detect a VPN. However, using a VPN to mask your location and spoofing your GPS location can easily be detected by Niantic.
15. Do Pokémon GO strikes go away?
Yes, Pokémon GO strikes do eventually go away. A first strike lasts approximately 7 days, after which your gameplay experience is fully restored if you have complied with the rules.